SKINCARE | Paula’s Choice Summer SPF Heroes | Cosmetic Proof

Press samples

Truthfully, I wanted to have a sunscreen post up for you all the way back in June, but as we are supposed to be wearing sunscreen year round, I guess sunscreen is applicable from January to December! Paula’s Choice recently added to their SPF family and I had the extreme pleasure of testing two of them which have turned out to be two of the nicest sunscreen formulations to have graced my face!

I will preface this by saying that I have been a MASSIVE fan of the Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid (review) having used a whole bottle last year (this is a big deal for someone like me who dances around from sunscreen to sunscreen depending on my mood) so I was truly excited when I was sent a Mineral and Vitamin C sunscreen to try!

Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30*

From the Calm line for sensitive skin, this mineral-based sunscreen soothes and protects sensitive skin with a non-greasy and lightweight texture. Allantoin and Centella asiatica support the skin barrier and also reduces the appearance of redness in the skin.

With mineral formulations, I am always scared about the texture i.e. how thick is this mofo going to be and how long will I have to massage this into my skin until it vanishes? Well, let me tell you I was absolutely SHOCKED at how lightweight this texture was! It starts off gel and then becomes satin! What sorcery is this?? OMG, this is THE NICEST mineral sunscreen I have ever used that leaves no white cast whatsoever and vanishes into the skin like a whisper.

5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50*

This is a chemical sunscreen that does it all! I have mentioned before that I am NOT a morning person so my skincare routine is incredibly short as I am so brain dead and grouchy that having more than three products in my routine feels like pure torture. This all-in-one is your vitamin C serum, moisturizer and sunscreen! I use a vitamin C serum every morning so being able to combine this step into another one is just a dream come true!

This immediately brightens and helps to prevent further pigmentation, has no white cast and has an incredibly sheer and fluid-like texture that massages effortlessly into the skin. I also found it perfectly hydrating these summer months though I am not sure whether it will be enough hydration for the upcoming winter months. I guess we will find out! All in all, this all in one product was everything I had hoped for and more!

Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50*

I won’t say a whole lot about this sunscreen as I have talked about it before, but this is the OG Paula’s Choice sunscreen/moisturizer. This contains antioxidants like grapeseed and white tea extract to help keep skin youthful and has a texture that is truly fluid-like, moreso than the other two sunscreens, and has a matte finish. As this texture is so lightweight, you can use a moisturizer underneath if you have drier skin or you can use it as an all-in-one which is what I do. 

I just realized that the tint of the products matches the colour of the tubes! You can see the gel to more fluid-like textures of the products in the swatches with the YEDHF almost running off my arm!

Final verdict: Beautiful. All three sunscreens are so lovely, layer well with makeup and have been so incredibly pleasant to use everyday. The Barrier Protect was a welcome mineral surprise, but the Vitamin C one I think I’m going to permanently incorporate into my morning routine because this is the dream product I didn’t know I needed!

You can find the Paula’s Choice sunscreen heroes at www.paulaschoice.com